Rumor Patrol: Man of Steel Sequel Already Being Planned

Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel hasn’t even been released yet, and support for the film is already growing. After the movie was shown internally to Warner Bros. executives and their families (and went over well), the test screenings are already generating hype for the reboot to be one of this year’s best films (granted, those reports seem to be coming from fans).

Now it seems like avoiding disaster isn’t all that Snyder and screenwriter David S. Goyer have accomplished, as rumors suggest that Warner Bros. is so pleased with Man of Steel, they’re – we hope you’re sitting down for this – moving forward with plans for a sequel, with Goyer continuing as writer.

So if Snyder and executive producer Christopher Nolan have indeed succeeding in delivering a ‘Nolan story with Snyder action,’ and apparently more action than some will expect, what does that leave them for the sequel?

When talking comic book movies, the path to follow for a sequel is usually to take things to a bigger and bolder place – usually by introducing a major villain that most fans will recognize from previous movies or incarnations. But given how “massive” Russell Crowe already claims this film to be, and Goyer’s approach to Man of Steel‘s story – that they’re treating it “as if it were real,” not heightened or fantastical – following that formula may prove more difficult. Then again, nothing about telling a Superman story is ever easy; just ask anyone who’s tried to bring the big blue Boy Scout to the screen before.

But if Goyer, Nolan and Snyder intend to tell a second story surrounding the Last Son of Krypton, there’s no shortage of villains and plot lines begging for adaptation. Which ones would best fit the new take on the character can’t be guessed until Man of Steel is released, but hints are apparently already being dropped.

Fans are always waiting for an appearance by Lex Luthor or Brainiac, and while those might have seemed far-fetched for a character as grounded as the team’s ‘Dark Knight,’ we know Superman will be fighting beings from another world fairly regularly. So anything’s possible.

The reason Warner Bros. is most interested in making the most of Snyder’s rebooted Superman is no secret, as sources close to the studio have consistently reported that a Justice League movie is having trouble getting off the ground. The script by Will Beall (Gangster Squad) has reportedly been scrapped, and there’s no shortage of detractors who believe that the project is doomed regardless of who’s behind it.

Whatever the case, Warner Bros. has been candid in explaining that they’re focused on making Man of Steel a success before going any further into development of a Justice League film. One insider previously reported that the the studio was even prepared to build a Man of Steel trilogy if the opportunity arose, putting JL or a Batman reboot on the back-burner entirely.

We’re not sold on the idea of Warner Bros. ‘scrambling’ over what to do with their DC Comics properties, since Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy was one of their most profitable in years, and Man of Steel is a safe bet for blockbuster ticket sales. It’s also worth reminding everyone that there’s no proof Justice League had enough momentum to run off the tracks – the 2015 release date was alleged, not announced. For all we know, letting Superman chart the same course Batman did (structurally, not creatively) has been the plan all along.

Which would you prefer, if Man of Steel proves to be a successful – an immediate Man of Steel sequel or a Justice League film? Let us know in the comments.